What Is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?
The abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a bulge and swelling in the lower part of the aorta located in the abdomen. The bulging in the lower part of the aorta is due to the weakening of the vessel. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an expanded area in the lower part of the central vessel that provides blood to the body (aorta).
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is dangerous, but the outcome is favorable for fixed aneurysms. The death rate is above 50 percent for a ruptured aneurysm. Aneurysms can occur in any region of the aorta, but the abdomen is the most frequent site. Entire abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) usually cause no health problems. However, large AAAs can break or rupture and generate heavy bleeding in the abdomen.
What Are the Causes of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?
The exact cause of an aneurysm is not known. It happens due to a defect in the wall of the artery. Other causes of AAA include trauma, infection, arteritis, and medial cystic necrosis.
Other causative factors that elevate your chances of having this problem include:
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Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) occurs when fat and other substances build up on a blood vessel's lining.
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Trauma due to a car accident can also cause abdominal aortic aneurysms.
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Infection in the aorta, which is a rare condition, can be due to a bacterial or fungal infection that might cause abdominal aortic aneurysms.
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Diseases of the blood vessels can cause blood vessels to get inflamed.
What Can Be the Signs and Symptoms of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?
An enlarged abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause deep, constant pain in the abdomen or on the side of the stomach, back pain, and a pulse near the belly button. Usually, there will not be any symptoms, but the aneurysm will get bigger and pressure the surrounding organs.
The most usual sign is common belly pain or discomfort, which may come and be persistent. The other symptoms may include:
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Pain in the chest, lower back, belly (abdomen), or flank (over the kidneys) that may radiate to the groin, buttocks, or legs. The pain may be deep, gnawing, aching, or throbbing, and it may persist for hours or days. It is generally not changed by movement. But particular positions may be more convenient than others.
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A pulsating sensation in the belly.
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A cold foot or a blue or black painful toe. This can happen if an aneurysm creates a blood clot that breaks off and obstructs blood flow to the legs or feet.
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Fever or weight loss can occur if the aneurysm is caused by infection or inflammation.
If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it can lead to sudden or severe pain, an extreme drop in blood pressure, and signs of shock. Without prompt treatment, it can soon lead to death.
How to Diagnose Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?
Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are detected unexpectedly during general physical examination or when abdominal ultrasonography, CT (computed tomography), or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is performed for different reasons. An AAA should be analyzed in older patients who have acute abdominal or back pain whether there is any palpable pulsatile growth or not.
How to Treat an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?
The treatment options for asymptomatic AAA are conservative management, surveillance with a view to eventual repair, and immediate repair.
There are two modes of repair available for an AAA:
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Open aneurysm repair.
An intervention is often suggested if the aneurysm grows more than 1 centimeter per year or more prominent than 5.5 cm. Repair is also intimated for symptomatic aneurysms. In those with aortic rupture of the AAA, treatment is urgent surgical repair. There appear to be advantages in allowing permissive hypotension and restricting intravenous fluids while being transported to the operating room.
Medication:
No medical therapy is effective in reducing the growth rate or rupture rate of asymptomatic AAAs. Blood pressure and lipids should, however, be managed as usual.
Surgery:
Repair is generally suggested if the aneurysm is 1.9 to 2.2 inches (4.8 to 5.6 centimeters), more significant, or increasing. The doctor might also recommend surgery if the patient has symptoms of stomach pain or a tender, leaking, or painful aneurysm. Depending upon the several factors, like location and size of the aneurysm, age, and other conditions, repair options might include:
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Open repair involves removing the damaged section of the aorta and replacing it with a synthetic tube (graft) sewn into place.
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Endovascular repair has less invasive procedures; therefore, it is commonly used. The doctors may attach a synthetic graft at the end of a thin tube (catheter) injected into an artery in the leg and joined into the aorta.
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The graft, such as a woven tube covered by a metal mesh support, is placed at the aneurysm site, expanded, and joined. It strengthens the weakened section of the aorta to stop the rupture of the aneurysm.
What Are the Risk Factors for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?
The risk factors for an abdominal aortic aneurysm are:
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Tobacco Use: Smoking is the most potent risk factor, which can weaken the aortic walls, increasing the risk of acquiring an aortic aneurysm and may rupture. The longer the smoking and chewing of tobacco, the higher the chances of developing an aortic aneurysm.
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Age: These aneurysms happen most frequently in people of age 65 and older.
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Male: Abdominal aortic aneurysms are more common in men than in women.
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White People: People who are white are at greater risk of acquiring the disease.
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Family History: A family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms raises the risk of acquiring the condition.
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Aneurysm in Another Blood Vessel: Having an aneurysm in another larger blood vessel, such as the artery behind the knee or the aorta in the chest, might increase the risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is most frequently seen in males over age 60 who possess one or more risk factors. The larger the aneurysm, the more prone it is to break open or tear. This can be a life-threatening condition.
What Can Be the Complications of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)?
Tears in one or more of the aorta wall layers or a ruptured aneurysm are the main complications. A rupture can induce life-threatening internal bleeding. In general, the bigger the aneurysm and the quicker it grows, the greater the risk of rupture. A ruptured aneurysm can cause sudden, sharp, and persistent abdominal or back pain, which can be defined as a tearing sensation, low blood pressure, and fast pulse. Aortic aneurysms also put a person at risk of forming blood clots in the area. If a blood clot detaches from an aneurysm inside the wall, it can block a blood vessel elsewhere in your body, causing pain or blocking the blood flow to the legs, toes, kidneys, or abdominal organs.
How to Prevent Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)?
To prevent an aortic aneurysm or stop it from getting worse, do the following:
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Quit habits like smoking or chewing tobacco and avoid secondhand smoke.
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Follow a healthy diet like eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy products.
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Avoid saturated fat and trans fats and limit salt.
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Keep the blood pressure and cholesterol level under control. Take the medicines prescribed by the doctor regularly.
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Get regular exercise, at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic workouts.
Conclusion:
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a condition that might require immediate medical attention, especially in cases where there is a larger aneurysm to avoid rupture. As far as management and prevention are concerned, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can bring about positive impacts. For more information consult a specialist online at iCliniq.com.
